The suspected shooter in the death of Missouri State freshman Richard Nelson in Las Vegas has been certified as an adult in the case and is facing one count of murder with a deadly weapon.

Richard Newsome, 17, was originally booked into Clark County (Nevada) Juvenile Hall, and he was transferred to the Clark County Detention Center on Wednesday.

Newsome is accused of shooting Nelson, a running back on the Bears’ football team, once in the chest and three times in the back on Saturday night, after Nelson tried to protect his older sister in a disturbance.

Richard Nelson(Photo: Missouri State University)

Nelson, who had lived in Las Vegas since moving there from Raytown, Missouri, with his family when he was in middle school, was home on winter break and was scheduled to return to Springfield on Sunday.

Police say Nelson pulled Newsome off his sister during the fight, and Newsome responded by shooting and killing Nelson.

Newsome’s mother, Tianna Thomas (also known as Tianna Douglas) was arrested along with Newsome on Tuesday. Thomas is accused of being present, then driving her son away from the scene after the shooting.

Thomas is in the Clark County Detention Center, where she faces one count of accessory to murder with a deadly weapon.

Tianna Thomas(Photo: LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Newsome will have a preliminary hearing at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, with the next hearing for Thomas scheduled for 8 a.m. April 3.

Missouri State is planning a memorial service to honor Nelson at 1 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Plaster Student Union Theater.